Leading gambling law and regulation conference Regulating the Game has announced IAG’s Vice Chairman and CEO Andrew W Scott as the second Conference Chair for its 2025 edition, to be held in Sydney from 10 to 13 March 2025.

With extensive expertise in the gaming sector, Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to the conference, guiding discussions and engaging participants in critical industry topics.

His career in the gaming industry spans nearly four decades, during which he has established himself as a media publisher, commentator, and journalist. He founded Macau gaming media and events company O MEDIA in 2009, of which Inside Asian Gaming is the flagship publication.

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On 7 October 2024 at Global Gaming Expo (G2E) in Las Vegas, Inside Asian Gaming and US-based gaming publication CDC Gaming announced a merger expected to complete on 31 December 2024. From 1 January 2025 the two companies will combine under a newly founded corporate parent, Complete Media Group, with Andrew at the helm as CEO. The newly merged group will cover the gaming industry in the Middle East, all of Asia, Australia and New Zealand, the Pacific, the US, Canada and Latin America.

Andrew has led numerous social and professional industry events including the Asian Gaming Power 50 Black Tie Gala Dinner, the IAG Academy Summit and the IAG Academy IR Awards.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Andrew said: “I’m delighted to chair a day at the Regulating the Game Conference. This event is a crucial platform for advancing important conversations in the gaming industry, particularly in the Australia and New Zealand markets, and I look forward to contributing to discussions that shape the future of regulation and innovation.”

Paul Newson, Principal at Vanguard Overwatch, added: “We are thrilled to have Andrew join us as a Conference Chair. His vast industry experience and global perspective will be invaluable in fostering insightful discussions at the 2025 conference.”

The Regulating the Game conference is a flagship event that aims to bridge the gap between regulators, industry professionals and stakeholders. The conference is dedicated to introducing expert content, inspiring discussion and debate about policy and sector issues, and driving innovation to support efficient and effective gambling regulation. Now in its fifth edition, Regulating the Game continues to attract speakers and attendees from around the world, solidifying its status as a pivotal event for those shaping the future of the industry.

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The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) has fined Crown Melbourne $2 million for allowing 242 people who had self-excluded from gambling to place bets at the casino over an 8-month period between October 2023 and May 2024.

VGCCC Chair Fran Thorn said: “It is an offence under the Casino Control Act 1991 (Vic) to allow an excluded person, including anyone who has self-excluded, to enter, remain or gamble in the casino. It also contravenes Crown Melbourne’s obligation to protect people at risk of gambling harm.

“Those who self-exclude must be able to trust that gambling providers will take all reasonable steps to enforce their decision to avail themselves of this harm prevention initiative.

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“By allowing people who have self-excluded to enter the casino and gamble, Crown has put them at risk of experiencing further gambling harm. However, it is also clear that a number of these self-excluded patrons are going to considerable lengths to avoid detection and break their exclusion requirements.”

The self-exclusion breaches were detected through VGCCC’s ongoing monitoring of the casino’s operations. The Commission determined the breaches were due to system and control failures rather than deliberate or egregious disregard by Crown of its regulatory obligations.

“Accordingly, the Commission has issued a direction to Crown to engage an independent expert to assess the effectiveness of, and make recommendations for improving, the management of its self-exclusion program. In due course, Crown will be required to implement the independent expert’s recommendations,” Ms Thorn said.

In April this year, the Commission directed Crown Melbourne to implement a transformation plan to continue its reform and remediation following the findings of the Finkelstein Royal Commission.

The Commission acknowledges Crown has taken some steps to strengthen its controls for policing exclusion orders, and introduced measures to improve its monitoring activities, physical security, use of technology and training of staff.

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“The VGCCC is committed to ensuring Crown continues its reform efforts,” Ms Thorn said.